Fresh Air

Fresh Air from WHYY, the Peabody Award-winning weekday magazine of contemporary arts and issues, is one of public radio's most popular programs. Hosted by Terry Gross, the show features intimate conversations with today's biggest luminaries.

Sedaris pulls from his decades-old diaries in his latest book, ‘Theft by Finding.’ In it, he revisits major turning points, such as the death of his mother, as well as more prosaic, everyday moments.Sedaris talks with Terry Gross about how his writing has changed, leaving Raleigh for the Art Institute of Chicago, and why he stopped drinking.

As a former ‘SNL’ cast member and writer, Franken tends to see humor in politics. Despite this, he says his gut reaction to the Trump administration isn't levity: "This guy is outside the norm in many ways."

Dion Francis DiMucci brought his guitar to the studio and performed old songs, new songs, and songs by performers who influenced him. He’s spoke with Terry Gross in 2000. Also, critic John Powers reviews the best-selling French novel ‘The End of Eddy.’

Ansari talks about his award-winning Netflix series 'Master of None,' acting alongside his real-life parents, and hosting 'SNL' the day after Trump's inauguration. Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews two solo albums from Harry Styles and Dan Auerbach. Also, Pamela Paul of 'The New York Times' talks to 'Fresh Air' producer Sam Briger about her "book of books," a list of every book she's read since she was 17 years old.

After working mostly as a behind-the-scenes guy on 'Chappelle's Show' and 'Inside Amy Schumer,' comic Neal Brennan is stepping out as a performer with his Netflix special, '3 Mics.' Brennan says he didn't get serious about stand-up until 'Chappelle's Show,' which he co-created and co-wrote, ended abruptly after Chappelle left the country. He talks with Terry about his friendship with Dave Chappelle, his family, and growing up with an alcoholic father. Film critic Justin Chang reviews ‘Berlin Syndrome.’

Ansari talks about his award-winning Netflix series, acting alongside his real-life parents, and hosting ‘SNL’ the day after Trump’s inauguration. Also, book critic Maureen Corrigan shares her early summer reading list.

Medical historian Richard Barnett traces the history of dentistry in his new book. He says that prior to the 18th century, the profession was often practices by charlatans with “big muscles.” His book is ‘The Smile Stealers.’ Also, Pamela Paul of 'The New York Times' talks to 'Fresh Air' producer Sam Briger about her “book of books,” a list of every book she’s read since she was 17 years old. Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews two solo albums from Harry Styles and Dan Auerbach.

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Tom Ricks discuses how Winston Churchill and George Orwell stood up against totalitarianism from the far right and left. Ricks covered the Pentagon for the ‘Washington Post’ and wrote five books about the military and America’s wars. He’ll also talk about generals in Trump’s administration. TV critic David Bianculli offers his first impressions of the new ‘Twin Peaks.’

'Daily Show' correspondent Hasan Minhaj describes himself as a "third-culture kid" who doesn't fully belong in either the world of his parents or that of his hometown of Davis, Calif. His new Netflix special is 'Homecoming King.'Milo Miles reviews 'Synthesize the Soul,' a collection of dance music from Cape Verde. Also, ‘Transparent’ creator Jill Soloway talks about their new new Amazon series ’I Love Dick.’ It tackles themes of gender, sexual obsession and artistic insecurity.

The ‘Daily Show’ correspondent describes himself as a "third-culture kid" who doesn't fully belong in either the world of his parents or that of his hometown of Davis, Calif. His new Netflix special is ‘Homecoming King.’

Ari Berman, author of ‘Give Us the Ballot,’ says the new commission will keep alive the idea that voter fraud is rampant — despite the fact that "all the studies show the opposite." Also, Ken Tucker reviews Angaleena Presley’s album ‘Wrangled.’

For Susan Burton, getting on track after being released from prison was a daunting experience. Now she's determined to help other women follow in her footsteps. Her new memoir is ‘Becoming Ms. Burton.’ Also, Milo Miles reviews ‘Synthesize the Soul,’ a collection of dance music from Cape Verde.

Hawley says his FX series, now in its third season, explores “the things people do for money.” He also created the series ‘Legion.’ Kevin Whitehead reviews a book about jazz band Art Ensemble of Chicago. Linguist Geoff Nunberg comments on the common misattribution of famous quotes on social media

Sidibe's break-out role was in 'Precious,' Lee Daniels' 2009 film about a girl who is sexually abused by her father and physically abused by her mother. She speaks with Terry Gross about landing the title role despite the fact she didn't have acting experience, overcoming anxiety and depression as a kid, and how working for a phone sex hotline prepared her for acting (and interviews).Maureen Corrigan reviews the novel 'No One Can Pronounce My Name,' by Rakesh Satyal.RhiannonGiddens sings songs from her new album, 'Freedom Highway.' She co-founded the Carolina Chocolate Drops, which plays string band music from the African American tradition.

Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee says genetics play a significant role in identity, temperament, sexual orientation, and disease risk — but that environment also matters. His book 'The Gene,’ is now out in paperback. Also, David Edelstein reviews ‘Last Men In Aleppo,’ and David Bianculli reviews Amazon's ‘I Love Dick’ and Netflix's ‘Anne with an E.’

Giddens sings songs from her new album, ‘Freedom Highway.’ She co-founded the Carolina Chocolate Drops, which plays string band music from the African American tradition. Also, we celebrate Fresh Air’s debut as a national, daily program on NPR, 30 years ago today.

Before she turned to writing, Gaitskill ran away from home and worked as a stripper. Her new collection of personal essays is ‘Somebody with a Little Hammer.’ Also, Julia Turshen speaks with ‘Fresh Air’ producer Sam Briger about her new cookbook ‘Small Victories.’

Sidibe’s break-out role was in 'Precious,' Lee Daniels’ 2009 film about a girl who is sexually abused by her father and physically abused by her mother. She speaks with Terry Gross about landing the title role despite the fact she didn’t have acting experience, overcoming anxiety and depression as a kid, and how working for a phone sex hotline prepared her for acting (and interviews).

Bell talks with Terry Gross about interviewing white nationalist Richard Spencer for his CNN series 'United Shades of America’ and doing stand-up in black comedy rooms. He has a new memoir. Also, Ken Tucker reviews Kendrick Lamar's album 'Damn.' Bruce Weber and Margalit Fox have written obituaries for thousands of people, ranging from heads of state to the inventor of the Etch-a-Sketch. They are featured in the new documentary 'Obit.'

The Philly-based chef talks about his Israeli roots, and the secret to his award-winning hummus. He is the recipient of a 2017 James Beard award for outstanding chef. John Powers reviews ‘Risk,’ the new Laura Poitras documentary about Julian Assange. Also, comic Chris Gethard talks about his one man show ‘Career Suicide,’ which premieres on HBO on Saturday. And David Edelstein reviews ‘Guardians of the Galaxy 2.’

Author Richard Rothstein says the housing programs begun under the New Deal were tantamount to a "state-sponsored system of segregation," in which people of color were purposely excluded from suburbs. His new book is ‘The Color of Law.’ Critic David Bianculli shares an appreciation of late director Jonathan Demme’s ‘Who Am I This Time?’ which was made for TV.